Joint Statement: Beef sector response to federal party participation at Bill C-282 rally

October 11, 2024 (Guelph, Ont.) – The cross-party display of support for Bill C-282 (An Act to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act (supply management)) that took place at a rally on Parliament Hill yesterday left many sectors, including the beef and cattle sector, both surprised and disappointed.

It was particularly disheartening to see the current and former federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food take part in a public gathering in support of a bill that seeks to undermine and threaten the interests of the majority of Canada’s agri-food industry, as well as all export-dependent sectors that fuel the Canadian economy. Yesterday’s actions were unprecedented and should be alarming to every business and sector of the Canadian economy.

The Canadian economy relies heavily on international trade, which accounts for two-thirds of our economic activity and supports one in six jobs. Bill C-282 threatens these vital trade relationships by constraining Canada’s ability to negotiate future agreements and would set a dangerous precedent that would weaken Canada’s standing as a free trade partner.

Bill C-282, if passed, would limit negotiators before talks even begin and encourage protectionist demands from other sectors. This could result in less ambitious trade agreements, jeopardizing key industries, particularly those dependent on exports, like the beef and cattle sector.

Canadian beef producers, who export approximately half of what we produce, are especially vulnerable. As one of the world’s most sustainable and efficient beef producing nations, Canada is uniquely positioned to meet rising global demand for protein. However, Bill C-282 threatens our export potential and relationships, particularly with critical trading partners such as the United States.

While yesterday’s rally exposed the deeply misguided interests of many political leaders, we remain optimistic that Canada’s non-partisan upper chamber will assess Bill C-282 for what it is, bad policy and a bad deal for Canada, and vote to strike it down.

Ultimately, the unwavering defence of the supply management system, which is the root of Bill C-282, should not occur at the expense of all other trade and export dependent sectors of the Canadian economy. Other policy tools are available to mitigate future potential threats to the supply management system, without legislating the system’s protection through a bill like C-282. Amending the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act would be an internationally unprecedented protectionist move. Future governments can and should keep all options on the table to support the most meaningful and robust trade agreements possible.

Bill C-282 is not a referendum on supply management, nor should it be treated that way.

We continue to urge policymakers to voice their strong opposition to Bill C-282.

Werner Stump, President, British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association
Brodie Haugan, Chair, Alberta Beef Producers
Keith Day, Chair, Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association
Matthew Atkinson, President, Manitoba Beef Producers
Craig McLaughlin, President, Beef Farmers of Ontario
Trevor Welch, Chair, New Brunswick Cattle Producers
Larry Weatherby, Chair, Nova Scotia Cattle Producers
Dennis Hogan, Chair, Prince Edward Island Cattle Producers

Original Statement